Enter Dan Jennings. The team’s general manager officially assumes managerial duties — a role he never held professionally before Monday.

"I've never shied away or been afraid of challenges,” Jennings said at Monday’s news conference announcing the move.

Jennings, 54, last managed, or coached, in Mobile, Ala., at Davidson High School. He started his career with the Marlins as a scout before moving into the front office as VP of player personnel in 2002 and GM in 2013.

The move is not without precedent.

Dan Jennings believed to be first manager/GM in MLB since Bobby Cox in 1990. (John Hart held both jobs in Cleveland, but not at same time.)

“Looking forward, we need a different set of skills to harness the potent combination of talent we've put together,” Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said (via MLB.com). "We can't think of anyone better suited for the job than Dan Jennings — one of the people responsible for putting these players together, who can now play a more active role in getting the most out of them. D.J. is a passionate baseball man with decades of experience in multiple major league roles."

Stil, the unorthodox move raised eyebrows around baseball, and even in Jennings' own family.

"Even my mom, who I love, she asked me, am I crazy? ‘Have you lost your mind?’" Jennings said.